Title
Approve Draft Minutes of the February 15, 2023, Transportation Commission Meeting (Action)
Body
Draft Minutes
Transportation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 codified at Government Code Section 54953, Transportation Commissioners can attend the meeting via teleconference. The City allows public participation via Zoom.
Zoom Attendees: 16
Legistar Link (Agenda and Video):
https://alameda.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1061799&GUID=C6C0262E-6421-46F3-93BE-600FAECC7457&Options=info|&Search=
1. Roll Call
Present: Chair Soules, Vice Chair Yuen and Commissioners Johnson, Kohlstrand, Nachtigall, Suthanthira, and Weitze.
Absent: None
2. Agenda Changes
None.
3. 2023-2763 - Staff Communications
Lisa Foster, Senior Transportation Coordinator, made several announcements, which are available in detail at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6020400&GUID=769E80FA-6B9E-4566-A88F-FBA1AE9B7607&FullText=1.
4. Announcements / Public Comments
Commissioner Kohlstrand asked about parking meters downtown that were not functioning.
Staff Member Foster explained this was due to upgrading the meters to 4G, and some meters needed screen repairs. The posted time limit still applied if a meter was not working.
5. Consent Calendar
5A. 2023-2813 - Draft Minutes Transportation Commission Special Meeting - Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Commissioner Weitze made a motion to approve the minutes and Commissioner Kohlstrand seconded the motion. Staff Member Foster took a roll call vote and the motion passed 6-0 with Commissioner Suthanthira abstaining due to her absence at the meeting.
5B. 2023-2814 - Review and Accept the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Complete Streets Checklist for the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project to Comply with One Bay Area Grant 3 Funding Requirements.
Gail Payne, Senior Transportation Coordinator, introduced this item (*7:25). The staff report and attachments can be found at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6020402&GUID=0AA373D4-3BE5-4830-A605-31AF93EB73F9&FullText=1.
Public Comment for 5B
There were no public speakers.
Action for 5B
Chair Soules made a motion to accept the checklist and Commissioner Suthanthira seconded the motion. Staff Member Foster took a roll call vote and the motion passed 6-0 with Commissioner Nachtigall recusing herself.
6. Regular Agenda Items
6A. 2023-2816 - Endorse the Annual Report on Transportation and the Annual Report
On the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (Action Item)
Danielle Mieler, Sustainability, and Resilience Manager, introduced this item and gave a presentation on the CARP 2022 Annual Report & 2023 Work Plan (*9:55). Staff Member Foster gave a presentation on the Transportation 2022 Annual Report & 2023 Work Plan, including the first Vision Zero Annual Report. The staff report and attachments can be found at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6020403&GUID=3840CAC5-C3F0-4F50-A84C-A29CA0429369&FullText=1.
Public Comment for 6A
Jim Strehlow was against e-bike rebates since in his opinion they were a major cause of accidents and deaths. He thought they were dangerous in the bike paths. He also thought that the safety plans were causing deaths and he wanted heart attacks taken into account. He was against increasing parking rates at the ferries.
John Spangler disagreed very strongly with the previous speaker, Speaker Strehlow. He believed these plans were going to work and the Vision Zero would work because they can make the infrastructure safer. He talked about how much progress they had made and hoped the commissions would stay the course and approve.
Steven Jones discussed the Mecartney Rd and Island Drive intersection and thought that a roundabout there would make it more unsafe. He thought a lighted intersection there would be much better. He thought it was very safe as it was now. He also discussed the Bay Trail and that it could use some improvements.
Action for 6A
Commissioner Kohlstrand made a motion to approve the endorsement of the Annual Report on Transportation and the Annual Report on the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and Commissioner Weitze seconded the motion. Staff Member Foster took a roll call vote and the motion passed 7-0.
6B. 2023-2817 - Recommendation to Endorse the Design Concept for the Lincoln
Avenue/Marshall Way/Pacific Avenue Corridor Improvement Project. (Action Item)
Staff Member Payne introduced this item (*1:20:05). The staff report and attachments can be found at
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6020404&GUID=CB2895E8-2FEB-4E19-B23C-F82AE414C238&FullText=1.
David Parisi, Parisi Transportation Consulting, also presented (*1:22:08)
Bri Adams, Parisi Transportation Consulting, also presented (*1:28:03)
Public Comment for 6B
Jeff Knoth, resident at Lincoln/Walnut, discussed recent crashes and one that even crashed into his yard. He appreciated the action that was happening but he had concerns about sewer covers and the sound that would happen when large trucks drove over them. He wanted to know about pavement improvements and what was the timing for these upgrades if approved.
John Spangler asked about the two versions of bike lanes and wanted to know about those differences (*1:53:01). He was concerned about the visibility of bikers for the curbside bike lanes. He then discussed the left turns on Lincoln and how difficult those were as a biker. Would there be a controlled left turn?
Cyndy Johnsen, Bike Walk Alameda, supported this great with detailed suggestions (*1:54:16) She also discussed a letter sent by Bike East Bay (see correspondence on this agenda item at the link above).
Jim Strehlow pointed out that the Walnut/Lincoln fatality happened after a redesign and asked if the victim was wearing black clothing or was carrying a light. He did not want a roundabout anywhere and felt there should be more parking and fewer bike lanes.
Peter Conn was curious about the proposed roundabout at Lincoln/Wilma Chan and wanted to know if other alternatives were being considered.
Ryan Clausnitzer was very supportive of this road diet on Lincoln. He believed it would improve safety and open up areas. He also disagreed with the comment about needing more parking on Lincoln.
Action for 6B
Commissioner Weitze made a motion to recommend the endorsement of the Design Concept for the Lincoln Avenue/Marshall Way/Pacific Avenue Corridor Improvement Project with consideration for the commissioner’s comments with the amendment, brought forth by Commissioner Suthanthira, that when the Wilma Chan/Lincoln roundabout design comes before the commission (TBD) they will see data on circulation and travel demand. Commissioner Weitze accepted this amendment and Commissioner Nachtigall seconded the motion. Staff Member Foster took a roll call vote and the motion passed 6-1 with Commissioner Kohlstrand voting against.
7. Announcements / Public Comments
Jim Strehlow expressed his anger in removing public comment at the end of the meetings and only having it at the beginning. He felt that the city was not having enough public engagement and listed questions he was still waiting on responses too (*3:27:00)
8. Adjournment
Chair Soules adjourned the meeting at 10:02 p.m.
*Shows minute mark in video to hear comments in full.